State President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) presidential candidate for the September 16 general elections, has pledged to construct the Nkhata Bay, Usisya to Chiweta Road if re-elected.
He made the pledge on Tuesday during the launch of the MCP manifesto for the Northern Region, held at Mzimba Stadium in Mzimba District.
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According to Chakwera, the proposed road will address transportation challenges in lakeshore and mountainous areas, which have long faced isolation and delays in economic development due to poor road infrastructure.
“Among the roads I plan to construct are Rumphi to Nyika to Chitipa, Chitipa to Ilomba, Chiweta to Karonga, Livingstonia to Njakwa, Rumphi-Bolero to Nyika, and Nkhata Bay to Usisya-Chiweta,” said Chakwera.
The president emphasized that the Nkhata Bay to Chiweta Road would act as a vital trade and transport corridor, reducing travel time and boosting business links between remote areas and major market centres.
Thousands of people attended the manifesto launch, where infrastructure development emerged as a cornerstone of Chakwera’s re-election agenda, aimed at ensuring inclusive growth and improved quality of life for all citizens.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), Senior Chief Timbiri of Nkhata Bay welcomed the pledge, describing it as a long-overdue intervention to resolve transportation challenges that have hindered the region’s development for many years.
“We have asked past governments for this road with no results. This is the first time a sitting president has given such assurance. It will surely save time and resources,” said Timbiri.
The chief observed that once constructed, the road would improve access to hard-to-reach areas such as Chisu, Sange, Thotho, Sanga, Usisya, and Mlowe, while also opening up economic opportunities.
People in the lakeshore areas depend on fish as their main source of income, and as you know, fish is highly perishable. With this road, it will be easier to access mainland markets in time,” he said.
Currently, the only reliable transportation from Nkhata Bay to Usisya and Chiweta is the Illala ship, which operates once a week, along with occasional small boats.
Chakwera’s commitment aligns with the MCP manifesto, which centres on five key areas of food security, job creation, wealth creation, governance reforms, and enhanced delivery of public services.
